Chapter 5 Firefighter personnel protective equipment

PPE

Equipment

• Respiratory protective equipment

• Personnel alert safety system (PASS)

• Helmets, coats, trousers, boots, gloves, hoods

• Eye protection

• Hearing protection

Types of PPE

• Station/work uniforms

• Structural firefighters’ protective clothing

• Wildland fire fighting

• Roadway operations

• Emergency medical

• Special/chemical protection

Station/Work uniform

1. identify the wearer as a member of the organization

2. provide layer of protection against direct flame

3. Do not wear non-fire synthetic

   1. Nylon

   2. Iron-on patches

   3. Polyester

   4. Transfer decals

4. Uniforms should meet NFPA 1975

5. Underwear 100% cotton recommended

Structural firefighting PPE

Structural PPE

Structural/Proximity firefighting must meet NFPA 1971.

• Helmets

• Trousers

• Eye protection

• Protective hoods

• Coats

• Boots

• Protective gloves

NFPA 1971 requires components include permanent label that shows compliance.

Labels

• Manufacturer’s name, identification, or designation

• Country of manufacture

• Month/year of manufacture

• Size/size range

• Footwear size/width

• Manufacturer’s address

• Manufacturer’s lot or serial number

• Model name, number, or design

• Principal materials of construction

• Cleaning precautions

PPE must be compatible with each other to provide the level of protection intended by NFPA standard for specific hazards.

Firefighters should never alter protective clothing (changing, adding, removing).

Heat Transfer

PPE to Body

• PPE cover all skin and prevent heat transfer

• Limits to amount of heat absorbed

• Hot PPE can cause contact burns

• PPE to be danger depends on heat transfer rate (400 F, 200 C)

Conditions caused

• Breathing/Heart rate

• Core temp.

• Skin Temp.

• Physiological stress

Helmets, Eye protection, Hoods

Head protection

• Prevent heated water/embers to neck/ears

• Protect head from impact

• Protect from heat/cold

• Identify personnel, rank, unit, accountability

Proper Procedure

• Place helmet on head, secure the chin strap under your chin and tighten it, fold ear flaps down (even if wearing hood) to cover ears and neck

Eye Protection

• Most common injury, not always reported

• SCBA facepieces

• Helmet face shields

• Goggles

• Safety glasses

• NFPA 1500 require eye protection be worn

• Other situations non respiratory

  • EMS with fluids

  • Vehicle extrication

  • Industrial occupancy inspections

  • Station maintenance

Hoods

• Protective hoods are fire resistant fabric for ears, neck, and face

• Face piece

• Helmet

• Ear flap

• Coat collar

Proper Procedure

• Pull hood on before coat to keep hoods skirt under coat, ensure secure seal between hood and SCBA facepiece. Secure facepiece before pulling up the hood.

Protective Coats

NFPA 1971 require all structural protective coats made of three components/design features

• Outer shell

• Moisture barrier

• Thermal barrier

• Limited Protection to

  • Direct flame

  • Hot water

  • Steam

  • Cold temp

  • Environmental hazards

Features

• Retroreflective trim - trim on torso/sleeves for visibility

• Wristlets - between sleeves end and firefighter palm

• Collar - Turned up under helmet ear flap

• Closure system - snaps, clips, zippers, Velcro fasteners for coat front

• Drag Rescue Device (DRD) - Harness/hand loop at back of neck for pulling down firefighter

Protective Trousers, Gloves, Footwear

Trousers

• Same 3 fabrics as coats

• Heavy-duty suspenders

• NFPA 1971 require retroreflective trim

Gloves

• Protect hands/wrists from heat, steam, cold and resists cuts, punctures, liquid absorption

• Allow dexterity/tactile feel

• Properly worn gloves cover wristlet to form complete seal.

Footwear

• Protect foot, ankle, lower leg from

  • Puncture wounds

  • Crushing wounds

  • Scalding water/contaminated liquids

  • Burns from embers/debris

• Steel inner sole and steel or reinforced toe cap high enough to protect lower leg

• Outer shell is rubber, leather, water resistant

• Thermal, physical, moisture barriers required

• Boot top fit inside trouser legs, completing barrier when kneeling

Personal Alert Safety System (PASS)

Emit loud alarm to alert other personnel, If motionless for 30 seconds or when pressed.

PASS Assist

• In total darkness

• Dense smoke

• confined spaces

• 3 settings off, alarm, sensing; pre-alarm mode in motionless has different tone

• Responsible for maintaining, testing, activating PASS device according to NFPA 1500, 1982

Hearing Protection

NFPA 1500 requirement, protection when riding apparatus where noise exceeds 90 decibels US.

Protect when

• Power tools

• Apparatus pump

• Generators

• PASS device tests

Danger when

• Communicating with others

• Hearing changes in fire behavior

• Radio transmissions

• Calls from trapped victim

Wildland PPE

NFPA 1977 specifications for wildland

PPE

• Gloves

• Goggles

• Jackets

• Trousers

• One-piece jumpsuits

• Long-sleeve shirts

• Helmet

• Face/neck shroud

• Footwear

• Fire shelter

• Load-carrying or bearing equipment

• Respiratory protection

• Chain saw protection

Additional provided with

• Canteen/water bottle

• backpack/web belt

• Fuses

• Extra food/water

• Clean socks/etc.

In absence of full gear

• Helmet, eye protection, neck shroud

• Flame retardant shirt/pants (one-piece jumpsuit_

• Gloves

• Fire shelter

Roadway operations

US department of transportation (DOT) requires all personnel to wear visibility vests rated ANSI 107, class 2 or 3.

5-point breakaway

• shoulder

• side

• waist

Vest over PPE when not performing firefighting/hazard material active.

Safety considerations

Consider

• Garment design, purpose, limitations

• Garment dry before enter fire

• PPE need to fit

• Coat and trousers overlap a minimum of 2 inches (50mm) at waist when bend at 90 degrees

• PPE impair balance and gait

• Thermal burns may occur at compression points

• Contact burns starting, withdraw ASAP

• Heat buildup eventually penetrates all layers

Preparation of PPE reuse

Inspect your PPE

• Start of shift

• After every use

• After washing, repair, decontamination

• Periodic basis (weekly, monthly)

• Soiling, contamination

• Physical damage/missing hardware

• Shrinkage, wear and tear, damaged retroreflective trim

• Damage to Drag rescue device (DRD)

Advanced cleaning, decontamination, repairs, replacement report to supervisor immediately. A member of department trained or Health and Safety Officer (HSO)

Cleaning PPE

NFPA 1851 defines 4 types of cleaning

1. Routine - brush loose debris, gentle spray water to rinse off debris/soil

2. Specialized - hazardous material/bodily fluids can’t be removed by routine/advanced. Trained member/outside contractor

3. Advanced - Personnel trained in care and cleaning perform the clean.

4. Contract - Remove accumulated grime or contaminants, some replace PPE while cleaning.

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

Required skill per NFPA 1001, needed when in place or near potentially (IDLH)

Respiratory Types

• Atmosphere-supplying respirators (ASR)

• Air-purifying respirators (APRs)

Respiratory Hazards

NFPA 1500/OSHA classify these as IDLH

• O2 deficiency - less than 19.5 percent O2, combustion is most common cause

• Elevated temps

• Particulate contaminants

• Gases/vapors

• Airborne pathogens

Elevated Temperatures

• Breathing air heated to flame temp is bad

  • Tachycardia/failure circulatory system

  • Pulmonary edema/asphyxiation

• Introducing fresh/cool air won’t reverse tissue damage

• Prompt medical treatment needed

Particulate Contaminants

• Harmful to respiratory system

  • Asthma

  • Lung cancer

  • Cardio disease

  • COPD

  • Premature death

• Protection from contaminants

  • Masks/filters

  • PPE

• Source of particulates

  • Chemical reactions

  • Combustion

  • Wildland/Structure fires, overhaul

  • Welding/metal cutting ops

  • Op. of fire apparatus

  • Ops. of explosion/building collapse

Gas And Vapors

• Gases

  • Exist at standard temp/pressure (Natural gas)

• Vapors

  • Result of temp/pressure changes affect to solid/liquid (steam)

• Inhalation, ingestion, absorption

  • Cancer, cardio disease

  • Respiratory issues

  • Thyroid/eye issues

Fire Gases and Vapors

• CO (carbon monoxide)

• HCN (hydrogen cyanide)

• CO2 (carbon dioxide)

• Hydrogen chloride/sulfide

• Nitrous gases

• Phosgene

• Ammonia

• Sulfur dioxide

• Formaldehyde

• FF’s must use SCBA when in/near toxic area

• Respiratory hazard remains during overhaul

• Hazards of smoke grow as particulates lessen

• Hazardous concentrations may be present outside building

Non-fire Gases and Vapors

• Hazmat incidents produce potentially hazardous gases/vapors

  • Always at safe distance uphill/upwind/upstream until complete risk analysis

  • Atmosphere dangerous at hazmat incidents

  • Wear SCBA until air monitoring safe

  • Gases/Vapors possible at transport incidents/storage/manufacturing facilities

• Common types/locations

  • CO2 - Fire suppression systems

  • Ammonia - AC, cooling/chilling systems, agricultural applications

  • Sulfur dioxide - AC, cooling systems

  • Chlorine - water treatment facilities, parks, pools

  • Pesticides - Commercial outlets, farms, nurseries, residences

• Other locations

  • Sewers, caves, trenches, bins

  • Tank cars

  • Storage tanks

  • Storm drains

  • Confined spaces

Airborne Pathogens

• Disease-causing microorganisms suspended in air

• Infection through inhalation/direct contact

• Encountered during medical response, car extrication, rescue/recovery, terrorist attacks

SCBA Components

SCBA Components

• Open-circuit SCBA operation

  • Nose cup

  • Face piece

  • Bypass valve

  • Regulator

  • High-pressure air hose

  • Exhalation valve

  • Air cylinder

  • RIC UAC

  • Hose-cylinder connection

  • Cylinder valve

• Closed-circuit SCBA operation

  • Face piece

  • Inhalation hose

  • Exhalation hose

  • Breathing chamber

  • CO2 canister

  • Diaphragm

  • O2 Injection line

  • O2 cylinder

  • Backpack assembly

• 30 mins - 2216 psi

• 60 mins - 4500 psi

Air Cylinder Assembly

• Cylinder contains breathing air under pressure

• Constructed of steel, aluminum, aluminum wrapped in fiberglass, kevlar/carbon composite

• Cylinders weigh 8 - 20 pounds

Regulator Assembly

• Depending on SCBA, regulator will have valves for normal/emergency ops

• Mainline valve

• Bypass valve

Facepiece Assembly

• Facepiece frame/lens

• Nose cup

• Regulator fitting

• Exhalation valve/speaking diaphragm

• Head straps

• Head harness

Facepiece Fit

• Qualitative/quantitative fit test required

• Facial hair that prevents full seal prohibited

• Glasses prohibited if side frames pass through seal

• Contacts allowed if FF demonstrates successful long-term use

Additional SCBA Components

• Remote pressure gauge

• Rapid intervention crew (RIC) universal air coupling (UAC)

• End-of-service-time indicator

• Emergency escape breathing support system (EEBSS)

• Heads up display (HUD)

• Integrated PASS control module

• Alert lighting systems

• Voice communications systems

SCBA Protection Limitations

SCBA Protection Limitations

• Wearer limitations

  • Lack of physical condition/agility

  • Impaired balance

  • Bad pulmonary capacity

  • Weakened cardio ability

  • Psychological limitations

  • Unique facial features

• Offsetting wearer limitations

  • Training

  • Medical evaluations

  • Proper fit testing

• Equipment limitations

  • Limited visibility

  • Decreased ability to communicate

  • Decreased endurance/mobility

  • Poor condition of apparatus

  • Low cylinder air pressure

• Overcoming equipment limitations

  • Frequent/proper inspections, care, maintenance

  • Training

Procedures For Donning and Doffing SCBA

Common methods of donning SCBA

• Over-the-head

• Coat

• Seat

• Side mount

SCBA Inspection Prior To Donning

• Check air cylinder/remote gauge

• Fully extend facepiece/harness straps

• Check valve function

• Test low-pressure alarm

• Test PASS device

• Check battery-powered functions

Donning Unmounted SCBA

• SCBA placed on ground in front of FF

• All straps extended

• Over-the-head/Coat

Donning From a Seat Mount

• Use if seat belt not removed

• Cylinder must be held in place by latching device

• Facepiece should be stored in a bag/pouch

Donning From a Side or Rear Mount

• Cannot be donned en route

• More time to don than seat-mount, faster than SCBA in case

• Reduce slip/fall

• Exposed SCBA to weather/physical hazards

• FF’s don with little effort if mounted at right height

• Mounted near running boards/tailboards

• Donning steps similar to seat-mounted SCBA

Donning From a Backup Mount

Donning the Facepiece

Doffing Protective Breathing Apparatus